Heuvelland (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Early today, a fire broke out at an old warehouse in De Klijte, Heuvelland, causing no reported casualties. The firefighters arrived to extinguish the fire, which engulfed half of the warehouse structure.
An old warehouse in De Klijte, Heuvelland, caught fire early this morning, resulting in significant damage but no injuries. The fire was reported around 7:50 am, and the Westhoek Fire Department responded immediately. Kristof Louagie, a spokesman for the department, said that half of the building was on fire when he arrived, which led to a call for a second tanker to get more water to the scene.
The warehouse, a former chicken farm, was being used for storage when the fire broke out. Mayor Wieland De Meyer reassured residents that there was no danger to the population since “the smoke is not going in the direction of the village.” The fire department has started procedures to handle the asbestos present in the roof.
The fire was located on Brulozestraat, and the surrounding roads had to be closed to allow for firefighting and to keep the public safe.
We have warned people that if they are affected, they should pay attention,
he noted.
At 7:50, our services were called for a blazing shed fire in the Brulozestraat in De Klijte,
says Kristof Louagie of the Westhoek Fire Department.
Upon arrival, half of the shed was ablaze. We immediately requested an additional tanker for extra water.
But the smoke does not go in the direction of the village,
adds mayor Wieland De Meyer (Gemeentebelangen).
We have warned people that if they are affected, they should pay attention.
The fire department started its process to clean up personnel and gear that participated in fighting the fire. The event brings attention to how older properties need safety standards to protect workers handling hazardous materials during emergencies.
The fire crew struggled to perform their duties because the extreme fire heat and smoke blocked their view and limited their entry. The fire department team quickly managed the fire and guarded against it, reaching nearby buildings.
What are the safety concerns related to asbestos in buildings?
De Klijte has experienced certain transformations in the past few years, especially in terms of commercial growth. The current legislation governing the use of asbestos has been further enacted because the exposure has been associated with a number of health risks. As found by the local data, overall cases in which fire was involved in industrial areas have been decreasing because of better safety measures and checkups.
